1855-1856       44 Dearborn Street, Chicago, Illinois.

1856 February 1.  The Daily Democratic Press.  (Chicago, Illinois.)  February 1, 1856, Vol. IV, No. 105, P. 2 & 3.

Review of the Manufacturers of Chicago for 1855.  In presenting our readers with the fourth Annual Review of the Manufactures of Chicago, we are happy to say , that this important arm of our prosperity continues to keep pace with the general growth of the city and country…

Daguerreotypes, Photographs, Ambrotypes, &c.  The Daguerrean business is not strickly [sic.]  speaking a manufacturing branch of industry, yet as there is in this city a large amount of capital invested in establishments of this kind, we have thought it  but proper to include them.  During the past two years Daguerrean rooms have increased very rapidly; and we are happy to record the fact, that Chicago has some of the best operators in the United States.

A. Hesler, Daguerrean and Photographer, Metropolitan Block, Lasalle street.

This is the largest Daguerrean establishment in the United States.  It consists of 12 large rooms, most appropriately fitted up.  The show rooms are luxuriously furnished.

Mr. Hesler’s Daguerreotype likenesses have taken the premium at the World’s Fair, New York, and at several of the State Fairs throughout the United States.  He was formerly situated at Galena, in this State, and moved to this city in December, 1854.

The following is a statement of his business during 1855.

Capital Investment…………$22,000

Va. Of Pictures, &c.………..$38,000

Material used……….………$18,000

Wages used………………….$6,500

No. of operators employed….10.

Root, Cook & Fassett, Daguerreotypist and Ambrotypist, 131 Lake street.

This establishment was only commenced las September, since which time they have acquired a good reputation as Daguerreans.  Some of their pictures have taken premiums at State Fairs and Industrial exhibitions.

The Following is a statement of their operation from Sept. 1st to Dec. 31st, 1855.

Capital Invested……….$3,000

600 pictures……………$2,000

Raw material used……..$400

H. W. Williams, Daguerrean Artist, 58 West Randolph street.

The amount of business turned out in this establishment during the past year, is as follows:

Capital Invested……$500.

Value of pictures……$1,500.

No. of operators…….2.

Taylor & Lenox, Ambrotypist and Daguerreans, 75 Lake street.

This firm commenced business in September last.  They are the proprietors of the patent right of Cutting’s process of Ambrotyping, for this State and Wisconsin.  The figures during the few months they have been in business, we did not receive.

C. H. Lillibridge, Photographer, 77 Lake st….No report.

C. C. Kelsey, Daguerrean, 96 Lake st………..Blanks not returned.

G. E. Jordan, Daguerrean, 44 Dearborn st…..No returns.

E. G. Stiles, Daguerrean, 139 Lake st…………Blanks not returned.

P. Von Schneidau, Daguerrean, 142 Lake st….Blanks not returned.